Software Requirements
The tables below explain which browsers and operating systems are supported for using Blackboard. Not using a certified browser could lead to problems while using the various features of Blackboard. If you have any questions about the information below, please contact the IT Customer Service Center at (859) 218-HELP.
With the upgrade to service pack 6, the supported configurations have changed. Please note that Internet Explorer 6 and 7 are not supported, as well as Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4 "Tiger".
Blackboard supports all newer stable versions of Google Chrome and Firefox.
Blackboard requires the latest version of Java, go to Java Downloads to update if needed.

There is often confusion about the different levels of support offered for supported technologies. To help alleviate the confusion this page was created to address some of the most common questions.

*Chart taken from Behind the Blackboard*
Hardware Requirements
|
|
Windows |
Mac |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Minimum |
Recommended |
|
Free Hard Disk Space |
15 GB |
20 GB |
9 GB |
12 GB |
|
RAM |
1 G |
4 G |
1 G |
4 G |
|
Processor |
800 MHz (Intel® Pentium™ III, or comparable) |
2.33 GHz (Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, or comparable) |
867 MHz or faster
(Intel, PowerPC G4, G5)Ŧ |
Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processorŦ |
|
Monitor Resolution |
800x600 |
1024x768 |
800x600 |
1024x768 |
|
Network |
Cable Broadband or DSL |
Cable Broadband or DSL |
Cable Broadband or DSL |
Cable Broadband or DSL |
|
Printer* |
Graphics-capable (inkjet or laser) |
Graphics-capable (inkjet or laser) |
Graphics-capable (inkjet or laser) |
Graphics-capable (inkjet or laser) |
|
Removable Storage Device |
CD-RW Rom, USB |
CD-RW Rom, USB |
CD-RW Rom, USB |
CD-RW Rom, USB |
|
Sound Card |
Needed |
Needed |
Needed |
Needed |
|
Video Card |
16 MB VRAM with 16-bit (65,000 colors) |
64 MB VRAM with 24- or 32-bit (True Color) |
At least 64 MB of Virtual Memory |
At least 128 MB of Virtual Memory |
|
Operating System |
Windows Vista |
Windows Vista, 7 |
Mac OS 10.5 |
Mac OS 10.5, 10.6 |
|
* Printing may not be necessary for all courses. Printers are available for student use in many of the Student Computing Services labs on the University of Kentucky campus (http://www.uky.edu/SCS/).
Ŧ Some functions that are required by Blackboard are not backwards compatible with PowerPC processors.
|
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©University of Kentucky, 2011
Teaching & Academic Support Center (TASC)
Permission is granted to reproduced materials for educational, noncommercial purposes, with acknowledgement of the University of Kentucky.